metamorphic
Pink Quartzite
Quartzite (mainly SiO2 with iron oxide impurities)
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink to reddish-brown; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal) microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
- Hardness
- 7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Pink to reddish-brown
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
Identified More metamorphic →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 7 on Mohs scale; Color: Pink to reddish-brown; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal structure: Hexagonal (trigonal) microcrystalline; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 2.6-2.7
Formation & geological history
Formed through the regional metamorphism of quartz-rich sandstone. High heat and pressure cause quartz grains to recrystallize and fuse together. The pink color is typically due to the presence of trace amounts of hematite or other iron oxides. Geological age varies by deposit, often Precambrian to Paleozoic.
Uses & applications
Used primarily as decorative stone, crushed stone for road construction and railway ballast, and occasionally for high-end countertops or tiles. In jewelry, it is sometimes used for beads or cabochons.
Geological facts
Quartzite is so tough that it often outlasts the surrounding rock, forming resistant ridges and hilltops. It is one of the most durable rocks found on Earth's surface and was historically used by prehistoric humans to make stone tools when flint was unavailable.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its extreme hardness (it will easily scratch glass) and its sugary, crystalline texture that breaks across grain boundaries rather than around them. Common locations include the Sioux Quartzite regions of the USA, Brazil, and parts of Scandinavia.
More like this
